New Year baby carries late grandmother's legacy

A long-held wish to name her child after her late grandmother was fulfilled on New Year's eve after Losevati Vuca gave birth to a healthy baby girl at Aspen Medical–managed Lautoka Hospital.

The single mother named her daughter Ataliah Meredaini in honour of her grandmother, who raised her and passed away in 2016.

“I was very close to my grandmother and after she passed away, I always wanted to do something to keep her memory alive,” Ms Vuca said.

“When I found out I was pregnant last year, I decided I would name my baby after her if it was a girl. I am so happy my wish came true.”

Ms Vuca endured hours of labour and did not realise she had given birth in the new year.

"The nurse told me it was 1.47am and that my baby was the New Year’s baby,” she said.

Her daughter weighed 4.4 kilograms at birth.

She said the birth of her daughter marked a hopeful start to the year.

“I am very happy. I believe this is a good year for us,” she said.

Ms Vuca is from Vunikodi in Udu Point, Vanua Levu, and has maternal links to Nukudamu.

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